By Mike Frisch and the Fishing the Midwest Fishing Team
Best New Fishing Gear from ICAST 2026
Every July I travel to Orlando, Florida to attend the ICAST show. ICAST is the fishing trade show where fishing gear manufacturers introduce much of their new product for the coming year. Some of the new product is available now, while much of it hits retail shelves this fall and during the early part of the new year. In addition to seeing and touching some of the new introductions as ICAST, I have been fortunate to secure samples of some of the products that I was most excited about at ICAST. While there is lots of new stuff that caught my eye, here are some of my favorite new offerings for 2026.
New Fishing Lures from ICAST 2026
Clickin’ Chicken Topwater Plopper
A new plopping style bass bait called a Clickin’ Chicken caught my eye at the show and has caught several largemouth in my boat the past few weeks. It has a rattle chamber and an innovative metal tail that allows for the customizing of the lure’s sound for different fishing situations. Plus, it comes in several top colors, including The Real Gill and Pearl that have already proven productive. Plopper baits are easy to fish, are proven fish catchers, and this new offering is certainly deserving of a place in tackle boxes.
Rattling Thunder Cricket Vibrating Swim Jig
Vibrating swim jigs have been great fish producers ever since they came to market several years ago. An innovation is the addition of a hybrid rattle blade in the new Rattling Thunder Cricket. This blade delivers amplified sound and top action. I’ve been throwing a Sexy Shad 2.0 color pattern tipped with a similarly colored Blade Minnow recently and have had very good success catching largemouth bass, along with several bonus smallmouth bass as well. I only have the single-colored bait right now, but the lure has been so productive, that I can’t wait to get my hands on more color patterns!
New Fishing Reels from ICAST 2026
Lew’s Accel Baitcast Reel
New lures are always fun to see and try. However, the “new at ICAST” product that I am probably most impressed with is a new baitcast reel from Lew’s called the Accel. This reel casts like a dream and, maybe the best part, is available to anglers at a $79.99 MSRP. I had two fellow “bassheads” cast the reel recently and then guess the price point. Both said over $100. I’ve been throwing various baits for bass with it for several weeks now and am very impressed with its performance, strength, and lightweight design.
Speed Spin CRX Spinning Reel
In addition to the Accel, a new spinning reel has proven its worth on my recent fishing excursions. It is the Speed Spin CRX. This reel is silky smooth, has a reliable drag system, and is also at a good price point. I’ve been using it for my walleye jig and bobber fishing and have been impressed with the reel’s smooth, lightweight performance. My walleye fishing friends may want to check this reel out if they’re looking for a high performer at a very affordable price point.
Boat Care Products Featured at ICAST 2026
Star brite Ceramics Boat Cleaners and Protectants
New products that have been out for a while that were also featured at ICAST are the Ceramics line of boat cleaners and protectants from Star brite. Traveling across the Midwest and needing boats and trailers that look “TV camera ready” during those travels make easy to use cleaners a must in my book. I have been using the Ceramics for a while now and rely on a pair of easy-to-use products from the line when traveling and any time I want my boat and trailer looking showroom shiny. Speed Detailer provides my boats’ exteriors an effortless shine and protection, while Metal Protect keeps my trailers looking new and protected from the elements of travel. These products do a great job and are very easy to use, simply spray on and wipe away.
As always, enjoy your time on the water and remember to include a youngster in your next outdoor adventure!
